Hey! ok so i'm going to try to post chapters more often than i've been doing so in the past. and just so you know, this chapter is from draco's POV. in case you hadn't noticed, the name at the beginning of each chapter is the name of whose POV the chapter is in. this is the first chapter that isnt from hermione's POV. ENJOY!

Chapter 5

Draco

As Granger and I separate from Blaise and walk slowly back to our common room, I can't help but think how truly fucked up this entire situation is. I can't believe that Granger, the Mudblood, of all people, was the one to see me as weak as I just was, besides Blaise of course.

I roll my eyes at that last thought, because even I am unable to deny that certain moment in the Room of Requirement, the one where we were holding hands and smiling at each other. For some reason, it didn't feel wrong, like it should have. In fact, it felt completely normal, like that's how it's supposed to be.

No way, an angry voice growls in my head. There's no way that you, a Pureblood wizard, are supposed to be with such scum as Mudblood Hermione Granger.

That's your father talking, another voice argues. You are NOT like him.

I glance over at the girl walking beside me, discretely looking her over. She's really not that bad looking. Over the past two or three years, she's tamed that wild mane of hers, and now it flows over her shoulders in soft, almost sexy, curls. Her face is actually quite pretty, when she's not making that bossy, know-it-all look that she's perfected over the years. And her eyes, I must confess, are gorgeous. They are light brown, with a green hint to them, and when she looks at you, it almost feels like you can sink right into them. Her body is thin, but curvy, and she's about a head and a half shorter than me, the perfect height for a girl, in my opinion.

I suddenly pull my gaze away, my eyes going wide at the realization of what I was just doing. I was checking her out! Granger, the Mudblood!

Disgusting, simply disgusting.

We finally reach the Head common room, and I mutter the password, quickly rushing in once the portrait door swings open. Without a word to Granger, I stalk off to my room, trying desperately to ignore the dull pain still radiating through my body.

---

RING RING!!

I groan angrily at my alarm, shutting it off quickly and rolling over in bed, planning to go back to sleep. It's Monday, and I know I should go to class, but I just don't feel up to it. My body still aches a bit from Friday night, and my arm is still in a sling, and I'm really not in the mood for the stares and questions I'll be getting from other students and teachers about it.

And I really don't want to face Granger. I've managed to avoid her successfully since Friday night, and I know I won't be able to keep it up forever, but I want to make it last as long as possible, so that maybe she'll somehow forget about it and move on. I'm not daft; I know it's very unlikely that she will forget, but it doesn't hurt to hope, right?

With that last thought, I turn over again, trying to find a comfortable position without hurting my ribs or my arms, and I fall back into an uneasy sleep.

---

I wake up a few hours later, at 11:42, to be exact, and decide reluctantly to finally get up. I've missed two of my classes by now, Potions and Herbology, and, although I have two more classes left, I still don't feel up to it, so I get dressed, and head down to the lake. The lake is my favorite place in all of Hogwarts. It's always so peaceful and quiet, and Merlin knows I need a little peace and quiet every so often. I go there when things aren't working out the way I want them to, which is actually quite often, and I go there when I need to think. And I go there when I just need to be alone.

Breathing in the fresh air, I sit down in the grass on the side of the lake, sighing contently at how good the feeling is. This is pretty much the only place where I feel totally free, like nothing can bother or hurt me.

After a few minutes of just sitting there, I lay down, wincing slightly as my ribs are jolted painfully. The pain, however, fades quickly, and I am able to stare up at the tops of the trees and at the clouds moving in the sky, and it's all so peaceful.

And then, it has to be ruined.

"I knew I would find you here, mate," the familiar voice of Blaise laughs as he stalks over, sitting down beside me.

"Go away, Blaise," I order rudely, closing my eyes.

"What's wrong?" he asks, sounding confused.

"You know I come here when I want to be alone," I snap, taking a deep breath to try to calm myself. "And I want to be alone. So just … go away."

"What's got your knickers in a twist?" Blaise grunts, and I hear him shifting beside me.

I don't answer for a while. I just continue to lay there, eyes closed, taking in the fresh air. Usually, I don't mind Blaise's company. He's a great friend, the best one I could ask for, and he's helped me get through a lot of shit. But right now, I really just want to be alone. I sort of feel bad though, about the way I'm talking to him.

"You know what," I say finally, in response to his earlier question.

I sit up, opening my eyes, and glance at my friend. He looks worried. I hate it when he looks worried. Blaise is always such a positive person, so when I see him like this, worried or sad or angry, then I know the situation must be real bad. Of course, I already know it's bad, but Blaise's face just confirms it.

"Please, Blaise," I mutter, sighing softly. "I just want to be left alone."

Blaise stares at me hard for a moment, trying to get me to change my mind, but then he gives up, looking away and nodding.

"Ok," he says gently, standing up. "But if you need me…"

He doesn't need to finish his sentence.

"I know," I reply quietly, gazing out at the lake. "I'll let you know if I do."

He just stands there for a bit, watching me. Then he says:

"I just don't want you turning all bloody depressed and shit. I can just see you going in that direction, and, honestly, it fucking scares me. I know it might sound a bit daft, but you're may best mate, and I'd hate that to happen to you."

I don't say anything for a long time. Quite honestly, I have no idea what to say to that. It's not like I'm turning depressed, and I think he bloody well knows that, I'm just going through some shit right now. And what's he got to be scared about? He's just the friend. He's not the one who's in deep bloody shit.

After I say nothing for a while, Blaise sighs and walks away, leaving me alone once more. But now it's ruined. Now the lake is no longer peaceful and quiet. Now Blaise's words ring over and over through my head, and I get up and head back to the castle.

---

I finally rejoin my classmates in the last class of the day, Defense Against the Dark Arts, which is taught by Professor Lupin, who decided to return for some reason. I walk in a couple minutes late and sit down by Blaise, sending a nasty sneer in the Golden Trio's direction because of their stares. I surprise myself at how horrid I can still act, seeing as my heart isn't really in it at the moment. Blaise tries to smile brightly at me, but I can tell he's quite put out.

"I'm sorry," I whisper to him, patting him on the back with my good arm. "I was just upset, that's all."

"I know," he mutters back, grinning slightly. "Don't beat yourself up over it, mate. It's ok."

I grin back at him, then quickly wipe any trace of emotion off of my face as I turn to the professor. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Granger still looking at me, and I turn to her, raising my eyebrows at her questioningly. She blushes, embarrassed, and promptly glances away, scribbling something down on her parchment. I smirk viciously, but then I follow her lead, and take notes.

After class, though, I get the surprise of my life, because as I am walking out the door, a hand grabs my good arm and pulls me quickly into a corner, and when I spin around, I see it's none other than Hermione bloody Granger.

"What the fuck do you want, Granger? And who gave you permission to touch me?" I snap at her, glaring menacingly.

"We need to talk, Malfoy," she says, seemingly unfazed by my glare. "Meet me at the lake at 10 pm."

"Why would I want to meet with you?" I growl, leering at her mockingly. "In case you hadn't noticed, Purebloods and Mudbloods don't exactly get on."

"I had noticed, Malfoy," she replies simply, ignoring my 'Mudblood' comment. "And I hate to do this, but I really need to talk to you, and if you don't come … I'll tell everyone about what happened Friday night."

I suddenly feel the little color that's left drain from my face, but I cover it up swiftly, saying:

"You have no bloody idea what happened Friday night. What can you possibly tell people?"

"I know enough," Granger insists coolly. "Just be there."

And with that, she walks away.

I don't know what she knows, or if she even knows anything besides what I know she's seen, but I can't risk her telling people about it. I'll just have to go.

I can't believe a bloody Mudblood's blackmailing me.

That's your father talking.